World Business Briefing | Europe: Britain: Wireless Unit Is Acquired

Published: April 4, 2007

The Macquarie Communications Infrastructure Group agreed to buy the British wireless network division of National Grid for £2.5 billion ($4.93 billion) and combine the unit with its Arqiva broadcast business. National Grid, owner of the power and gas networks in Britain, said National Grid's wireless unit had access to more than 14,500 communication sites in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. The unit, based in Warwick, England, owns more than 2,500 sites and has contracts with its parent for access to electricity transmission towers, National Grid said. Arqiva, based in Hampshire, England, offers networking services to broadcasters and mobile phone companies including the Vodafone Group, Telef?a, O2 and Orange of France T?com. Macquarie is based in Sydney, Australia.